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10 Best Global Universities in Europe

By U.S. News & World Report

Explore the Best Schools in Europe

Thousands of international students study in Europe each year in search of a new experience or a better education. The region hosted about 154,000 Americans alone in the 2012-2013, according to the latest data collected by the Institute of International Education.

These are the top 10 Best Global Universities in Europe, ranked by U.S. News based on their academic reputations and research performance.

10. KU Leuven

Founded in 1425, KU Leuven is one of the oldest universities in Europe and the largest in Belgium, according to the school’s website.

KU Leuven offers degree programs at campuses in 11 other Belgian cities.

9. University of Manchester

Students at the University of Manchester come from 154 countries, according to the school’s website.

The British university says it admits more international students than any other institution in the United Kingdom.

8. University of Munich

Germany’s University of Munich, also known as Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, had 50,542 students in 2013-14, according to its website.

At the school, which can trace its roots back to 1472, students can study the humanities, law, economics, social science and medicine, among other subjects.

7. Pierre and Marie Curie University – Paris 6

France’s Pierre and Marie Curie University – Paris 6 is home to 34,000 students, 20 percent of whom are international, according to the school’s website. The institution boasts 100 research laboratories.

6. University of Edinburgh

The University of Edinburgh, located in the capital of Scotland, has three colleges containing 22 schools, according to the school’s website.

Students can study law, economics, divinity and chemistry, among other subjects.

5. Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich

Founded in 1855, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich is a leading school for technology and the natural sciences, according to its website.

The school enrolls more than 18,500 students from more than 110 countries.

4. University College London

Based in the heart of Britain’s capital, University College London also has a presence in Australia and Qatar.

In 1878, the university became the first in England to “admit women students on equal terms with men,” according to the school’s website.

3. Imperial College London

Imperial College London focuses on science, engineering, medicine and business.

The school has 14,700 students and undergraduates from more than 125 countries, according to the school’s website.

2. University of Cambridge

The University of Cambridge, which has more than 18,000 students, was founded in 1209.

Affiliates of the school “have won more Nobel Prizes than those of any other institution,” according to the university’s website.

1. University of Oxford

The United Kingdom’s University of Oxford, which traces its beginnings back to 1096, is the oldest university in the English-speaking world.

The school has more than 22,000 students, including 11,703 undergraduates and 10,173 graduate students, according to the university website.

Learn More About Studying in Europe

For more information about studying in Europe or elsewhere, visit our Best Global Universities rankings and read stories about the international student experience.

Follow U.S. News Education on Facebook, Twitter and Google+ for more higher education news.

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10 Best Global Universities in Europe originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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